Forum: August 11-16

How to AVOID Publication Success

I will discuss the mistakes aspiring authors make, and some published authors make, because I think I've made them all. I started writing romance novels 20+ years ago, but it has taken me a long time to focus, to finish, to understand what makes a successful book. I've sold what turned out to be a contemporary romance series to Samhain. The third book is due out in May. I've self-pubbed 3, one of which is the first in a fantasy series. Before that I sold two to Avalon Books (which went nowhere). I'll have a short story in the 2013 Novelists, Inc. anthology as well.

...lack of focus, moving from one project to another, never completing even one to make it sellable, the numerous unfinished manuscripts which still clutter my shelves, how hard I had to work even on my last Samhain book (editing it twice per her suggestions before the editor would offer a contract). The fact that I still struggle with GMC and constantly have to ask myself "what is this book about? what do these characters want?" I can give hope to the strugglers. If I did it so can they. Maybe I can help them avoid some of the mistakes I made. It's possible they don't know what they're doing IS a misstep.

I belong to Novelists, Inc., and am a former member of Romance Writers of America, national and local chapter. Whenever I see requests for workshop pitches I always think, well, I can tell them what NOT to do!